Meeting Minutes |
5th meeting of the Steering Committee for Stoney
Grove Present: Phil Porkridge, Frank Churchill, Shirley Johnson, Martin Johnson, Mr. Tinsley Sr., John White and Emma Knytleigh. Phil: Um, hello everybody. Simon isn’t going to be here today; in fact he’s gone on a trip so he asked me to chair the meeting. I don’t know much about houses, but then neither does Simon! Anyway, I’m an accountant. So let’s do this properly. Who has the minutes from the last meeting? Emma: We record each session and I,ve been making transcripts. Phil: We’re making a recording? Testing, testing, one two three! Sorry. Just my little joke. Well, never mind. Any outstanding business? Emma: Yes, we opened the safe. Phil: Oh, well done! Mr. Tinsley Sr.: How'd you manage it? Emma: It was easy really, once I figured it out. The clue was "it can be opened by the grace of a gentleman who played here." WGGRACE of course. He played against the Australians at Stoney Grove in the 1880s. Phil: Any goodies? Shirley: You shouldn’t be messing about with people’s private things. Emma: We got a bird book by Eleanor Hall, and some bad romance novels. Fanny's manuscripts were in there too, which were much more interesting. Ann wants me to send them to her. There's also a locked box, which is presenting a bit of a challenge. Shirley: Well, I think you should leave it alone. You're just stirring things up, poking your nose in where it’s got no business being. And as to the novels being bad, how'd you know? Have you read them? John: Now, now Nan. Emma’s just trying to find things out. I’m glad she’s been looking into things. Shirley:When you’re older you’ll realise some things are best left just as they are. What about you, Frank? Happy with Emma’s snooping around with John, are you? Frank: Everyone’s very agitated right now. I just can’t see how this is all going to work out. Let's try not to get angry. Emma: Oh calm down, Shirley. It's all old news. I just want a quick peek! Shirley: All right, dearie. Just be aware that secrets have a way of coming back to haunt you! Phil: Any other business? Mr. Tinsley Snr: Where’s that archaeologist lady? I like her, how come she’s not around any more? And that architect fellow, where’s he? Seems like the rats are deserting the ship. Emma: Evelyn is taking some vacation time. Chester sent his apologies; he’s on a trip too. Mr Tinsley Snr: Well, I was supposed to get my room set up. To show people eighteenth-century gambling. Phil: Well, let me help you with that Mr. Tinsley. We can have you in costume. Oh, and by the way, the television people are going to give us the word about filming in another few weeks, so we should think about how we’ll best accommodate them. Just think, perhaps we can all be extras. Martin: I was on television once, for me vegetables. Phil: Really. Well. How nice. Until next time then. |